Category Archives: detroit image consulting

‘Tis the season for the annual holiday office party.According to Michigan-based Image Consulting Firm, P2Styles, play your cards right and you could end up closer to gaining that office with a view.Make a wrong move, and you could be facing career suicide.Here are nine basic survival tips to keep your career heading north.

1.Appearing is Mandatory.Don’t even think about NOT going to the office party.Skipping out on the annual party displays disrespect for your company, your supervisors and your colleagues. Unless you have a justifiable conflict, showing up is mandatory.More importantly, remaining at the event for at least an hour eliminates the risk of giving the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.

2.Dress appropriately for the occasion.While dressing appropriately is critical at every rung on the professional ladder, it’s most important for midlevel professionals who have a shot at the coveted corner office.For women, the rule of thumb “more skin, less power”, still applies.Refrain from wearing ultra-tight fitting dresses, décolletage revealing necklines, micro-mini skirts or super snug pants. Men should avoid unbuttoning more than two buttons on their shirts and wearing overly fitted shirts or sweaters that show off their muscles.

3.Leave first dates for another occasion.Assuming dates are welcomed, bring someone who you know from previous experiences will present well with co-workers and superiors.The office party is not the time to learn that your date is fixated on leather and lace or possess over-indulgent drinking habits.

4.Conduct yourself professionally.What you say and do will resonate in the minds of your colleagues and managers. Inappropriate behavior can cause your career to be shorter than everyone else’s memory. In all of your interactions, be positive and conduct yourself with charm and savvy.This is not the time to express employee grumbles.

5.Be a good conversationalist.Avoid talking about yourself or your accomplishments all night.Instead, make others your focal point.Show that you are genuinely interested in each person within a group by asking open-ended questions and including everyone in the conversation with both questions and eye contact.

6.Eat, drink and be merry in moderation.The stories of people who have overindulged at company parties are legendary, and there’s always a price to be paid. Limit your alcohol consumption and drink plenty of water or seltzer between drinks. Also, keep in mind that the hors d’oeuvres table is not intended to be a five-course meal. Enjoy the spread, but leave some for the other guests.

7.Be prepared to schmooze.Take the time to network and schmooze with those individuals who can influence your career or who you may not see regularly.Holiday parties are great for building or strengthening business relationships.

8.Don’t assume everyone celebrates Christmas.In today’s multi-cultural workplace, not everyone celebrates the same holidays.Take the politically correct route by wishing those you encounter a “Safe and Happy Holiday Season”.

9.Exit gracefully.Make an appoint to say thank you and goodbye to the person or persons responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party.Sending a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party is sure to help you gain career advancement points.

In almost every celebrity interview, when it comes to naming a favorite wardrobe staple, the classic tee-shirt almost always makes the list. Each piece has its individual style and uniqueness depending on the wearer. The classic white tee can look different on singer Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan or you. Patterns, prints and colors make a simple tee-shirt become a versatile piece.

Tee Style Tips

Invest in a seamless bra or T-shirt bra for a smooth silhouette.

A tee-shirt’s shoulder seam should sit properly at the widest part of your shoulders.

A fitted crewneck tee is a classic for all ages.

Scoopneck and V-neck types are great for those with fuller busts; be sure to avoid loose-fitting ones that can be unflattering.

Cap-sleeve tees show off those toned biceps well.

Want to give the illusion of a more elongated silhouette? Push up long sleeves.

Certified Image Consultant, stylist, trainer and motivator, Indigo Zuri, has over 20 years of experience in corporate settings and in the retail fashion industry. She is the owner of P2Style and Image Consulting, LLC (P2Styles) and one of five certified image consultants in the State of Michigan. Nominated in 2008 by Strut Magazine in the “best personal shopper” category, Indigo has worked with hundreds of professional men and women in the Detroit Metropolitan area.

Indigo is also known throughout Michigan for her professional development workshops and seminars and has conducted seminars on the topics of wardrobe development and business casual to a number of area businesses and professional organizations. A partial list of her clients include: TRW, General Motors, SpecialTree Rehabilitation System, Michigan Association of Professional Court Reporters, Powers Chapman Law Firm, Dickinson Wright PLLC, Olde Discount and Smith Group Architectural Firm. She has also served as a keynote speaker for the City of Detroit, Jack and Jill of America, Southfield Parent/Teacher Association and the Michigan Association of Professional Court Reporters.

Indigo also conducts workshops and training classes for budding image consultants and those individuals who are interested in learning how to develop their personal style.

Indigo is a member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and a former Secretary of the Michigan Chapter. Trained in Montréal, Canada by world-renowned Image Master Carla Mathis, she is certified in color, style, fit and business protocol. Ms. Zuri holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary University.

I was thinking: What’s up with the color lavender? Icy and cold, it’s all over the place. I’ve been seeing it on magazine covers. You can get in a wallet, like the lavender compact size Coach leather Mini Skinny. Easy to fit in a small handbag or even in your back pocket; or Martinez Valero’s T-strap sandals. Liquid lavender all over your feet. Maybe you want to get Stella’s fragrance; it comes in a lavender bottle. Maybe you want to do your part to help the environment like using a lavender eco-friendly reusable bag, all while looking fabulous, of course. Maybe you want to look at your guy in a lavender tie, because that’s going to look good in a navy suit, pinstripe or not. Not trying to tell you how to dress him, just saying, this could be a good look with blue. Another good lavender look? Check out Michael Kors’ unbelievable camel and lavender. It’s a beautiful combination and a definite must have.

Yesterday, as I was leaving the hair salon, a patron mentioned spring’s official arrival being less than two weeks away.“Yeah right” I thought as I zipped up my boots, donned my winter coat, wrapped my scarf around my neck and covered my still damped locs with my fresh wool cap.The idea seemed even more far fetched as I scraped the ice and snow off my car, and slipped and slid to Nordstrom to meet my afternoon client. But leave it to Nordstrom to save the day with their beautiful displays of flirty frocks constructed from bold printed fabrics; high glossed color blocked gladiator sandals, vivid colored accessories and yes, those were birds chirping over the intercom.Spring IS near and I can’t wait!

Wondering whether or not you have style?Chances are if you do you probably already know. Your look generates interest. You get compliments — on your clothes, shoes, hair, pretty much anything you wear.You’re age-appropriate but still fresh and modern. You know your best colors. You regularly show off your best features. You’re able to forecast upcoming trends well before they hit the fashion magazines. Read More.